284 [=286]

[284]

[Letters Historical and Galant. Vol. 5.]

You may well Judge, Madam, that after this, no great credit will be given to French Malcontents. people
have not forgot the Late Cardinal de Richlieu's Policy nor the proverb that says, He that would prove too much proves
nothing. The Conduct of Unhappy Guiscard proves this truth: for one cannot read his Memoirs without horrour, nor
Comprehend how he could afterwards make his peace with France. After this we must own that he was not the most
regular man in the world in Conduct or Morals. But he is dead, so let us leave his ashes in repose, and talk no more
of a thing that is not much to the honour of our Nation. I pity the wretch's family, for though faults are personal,
This cannot but be very disagreeable to Relations and especially to people of Condition. As his Death cut his Tryal
Short, we cannot know the particulars of his Crime. But his despair shows us plainly that he thought him self
guilty, and thought of Killing himself only to avoid the Shame of Punishment? This was flying out of the frying
pan into the fire; and is all the news I have to tell you.

The Allies are forming great projects for the ensuing Campaigne, which in all appearance will not be more
happy for us than the rest. For We must allow, they have beter Generals than we, and we should be very hard put
to it to find one equal to Prince Eugene or My Lord Marlborough. So that we may as well lett alone depending
on the Number of our forces! What use are Arms of when they want a head to make them act properly. And
what can we expect at present,, when all the Duke of Vendome's Valour did not save us in Flanders whilst he
commanded there? Judge whether his Absence will advance things there? ---- But let us let alone Prog
nosticks since we have no agreeable ones to make: Sufficient unto the Day is the Evil thereof and we are
not to afflict our selves before the time. You see that my Commerce with our Enemies have not taken away my
heart; I talk like a good Frenchwoman still. But I own to you that the Sweets of Liberty I enjoy in this neutral Town
makes me wish for a good peace to reunite us all, and reestablish Commerce & good Intelligence among Neighbours. I
believe every good Christian ought to say Amen, and that War being the Scourge of war, we ought to wish to see an end of it.
To wish it with as much Ardour as I do to have the pleasure of embracing you. I am Madam &c. ----